Designer Profile :: Yoga + Sculpt

This week we've chatted to Samantha Hopper, founder of Yoga + Sculpt. Find her this Sunday 5 November at TVM!

Tell us about how and when your label was created?

It was September 2015 when I started this journey! As everyone knows LIFE GETS BUSY!!

I was fitness instructing everyday and I starting searching for the perfect exercise mat... They were all so boring! There was nothing in the market that was inspiring me and encouraging me to get up and go and exercise. So... I decided why not MAKE MY OWN YOGA MATS!

The design process was fun because I’ve always been a creative person. You can check out my blog post The Yoga Mat Dream to see some sneak peaks of my original inspiration and step by step design process.

After a couple of years delay I finally decided to dedicate my time and energy back to YOGA+SCULPT and follow through with getting my mats manufactured. It was the best feeling when they arrived in Australia and I could finally start sharing my passion and hard work with everyone.

What pieces are included within your range?

When you purchase a Y+S Yoga mat you receive a 100% quality organic yoga mat, a strap (which you can use in your practices, a yoga guide poster which gives you 16+ exercises to do on your mat, plus a couple of Y+S designer stickers.

What is your creative background?

I have no official design background however I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer and a creative person. I love interior design and fashion design so I guess I wanted to bring that flare and print excitement to yoga mats!

Where is the label designed and made?

The Y+S mats have been designed locally on the Gold Coast. They are manufactured in China.

What inspires you?

I draw inspiration from many different aspects of my life; travel, scenery, fashion and the genuine feelings within myself when I feel connected or moved by something. Specifically for the Y+S mats I wanted vibrancy and happiness! I was envisioning rolling out the mat on the top of a hill, looking out over the horizon. I wanted to bring nature into the designs; which is why I have chosen all 4 designs to feature some sort of leafy pattern for continuity.

Tell us about your collection?

This is my first collection, it consists of four designs:

‘The Freedom Yoga Mat’ which is a vibrant blue/purplish colour, a little more neutral only having one colour for people who like simplicity.

‘The Vitality Yoga Mat’ which is the timeless and very on trend green palm pattern. I believe this suits all environments and is great for someone who loves nature!

‘The Tranquil Yoga Mat’ is more sophisticated and stylish. Incorporating black and white with a splash of colour. The very vibrant colour pop is amazing and so striking when it’s rolled out! The pink abstract flowers have a watercolour effect that I think gives even more style and design to the mat.

‘The Bliss Yoga Mat’ has the most going on in terms of pattern. The Bliss features triangles that are a reference to balance, palm leaves that suggest lightness and airiness and the super cute pebble stone polka dot clusters that again is a reference back to natures different textures.

What's on your mood board?

My mood board was covered in geographic print inspo! It had ample colour references and different leaf designs. You can see some of the examples on my blog post.

What’s your creative space like?

My creative space is not that creative. It is my home office that consists of a natural timber desk, plants and my husbands surfboards. I don’t need to be in a super creative space to dive into my creative mind. I am very in touch with my inner self. Yoga does that to people.

What music do you listen to while designing/creating?

I love easy listening, something with a good beat but chilled out at the same time. Usually Spotify playlist like ‘The office stereo’ and ‘Just Chill’.

A day in the life of you consists of?

My weekdays start with morning yoga classes or a fitness class from 5am or 6am until 10am. Next I’ll get onto general jobs and tasks i.e. emails, meetings, cleaning, walking the dog, grocery shopping. From 4pm more yoga or fitness classes! I live a pretty simple life; I like it that way. I try to fill my life with thing and people that make me happy.

What can we expect from the next collection/what are your plans for 2017 and beyond?

The next collection I would like to release a couple of designs that are more masculine. I get SO many men asking if we do different designs.

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More than a market, The Village Markets is a community of creative entrepreneurs, trading on the first and third Sunday of each month at Burleigh Heads State School 8.30am – 1pm and at Stones Corner seasonally, launching 23 December 2018.